The route from Jakarta to Bandung is served by Southeast Asia’s first high-speed train, but there is still the option of the original, slower service between the two cities.
While the glamour of the high-speed train can be hard to resist, its stations are located some distance from the city centres, and getting to them by public transport can be inconvenient. As a result, many travellers still choose the slower train, drawn by its lower cost and easier connections.
Whichever option you choose, this guide covers everything you need to know about routes, timetables, ticket booking, and prices.
Disclaimer: This website contains affiliate links. Should you click to purchase, it is at no additional cost to you, but we receive a small commission.
Route map and details
Three options are available when taking the train from Jakarta to Bandung. Two of them use the high-speed train and one takes the windy (but much slower) route on the inter-city mainline.
Option #1:
Jakarta to Bandung on the high-speed train
Journey time: 50 minutes
Whoosh trains run on a newly built high-speed line linking the outskirts of Jakarta with the outskirts of Bandung, via Karawang and Padalarang. A key drawback is the location of the stations, which are some distance from the city centres and require an additional leg by public transport or taxi.
Option #2:
High-speed train to Padalarang, then shuttle to Bandung
Journey time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Bandung’s high-speed station, Tegalluar, is located almost an hour’s drive from the city centre, which can be inconvenient. To address this, the railway operator has introduced a free shuttle train between Padalarang and Bandung’s main station. If you are travelling from Jakarta on the high-speed train, it is often easier to get off at Padalarang and take the shuttle into Bandung.
The shuttle timetable is designed to align with high-speed arrivals, making the journey relatively seamless.
Option #3:
Jakarta city centre to Bandung city centre using normal train
Journey time: 3 hours
Despite the appeal of high-speed rail, many travellers still opt for the original slow train, known as Parahyangan, which runs from Jakarta’s Gambir station to Bandung station, both conveniently located in the city centres.
Although the journey takes longer than the high-speed train (3 hours versus 50 minutes), the overall travel time is often similar once you factor in the trip to and from the high-speed stations. It can also be a much simpler and more straightforward journey. Tickets are typically around half the price of the high-speed service.
Timetables
Option #1:
Jakarta to Bandung on the high-speed train
There are 31 high-speed trains per day from Jakarta’s Halim station to Bandung’s Tegalluar station (28 on Sundays).
Average journey time: 50 mins
Option 2:
High-speed train to Padalarang, then shuttle to Bandung
Recognising that the new high-speed station at Tegalluar is located far from Bandung city centre, a free shuttle service has been introduced between Padalarang and Bandung. The shuttle connects with high-speed trains from Jakarta.
The shuttle from Padalarang to Bandung is scheduled to depart around 10 minutes after high-speed trains arrive from Jakarta, allowing plenty of time to make the connection.
The first three shuttle services of the day operate from Monday to Saturday only.
The table below shows the high-speed train times from Jakarta to Padalarang, then the connecting shuttle service from Padalarang to Bandung.
Average journey time: 1 hour 10 mins
Option #3:
Jakarta city centre to Bandung city centre using normal train
Not everything on the Jakarta to Bandung route is high-speed. The original train between the two cities is still running and remains a popular option. For many travellers, the slower pace is part of the appeal, and it is significantly cheaper as well.
One clear advantage is the location of the stations, both in the heart of the city and easy to reach on foot or by public transport.
Eight trains run each day from Jakarta’s Gambir station to Bandung, with a journey time of around three hours.
How to buy tickets
The easiest way to buy train tickets in Indonesia is online rather than going to the station. You do pay a very small commission but the ease and convenience makes it worthwhile in our opinion.
For the normal train, Tiket is the best place to book and has a simple to use interface and accepts international credit cards. It’s also a good place to check availability, timetables and prices.
High-speed trains can be booked on the official website.
How much does it cost?
As you might expect, tickets from Jakarta to Bandung are significantly more expensive on the high-speed train compared to the normal, slower train.
High-speed train prices:
| Class | Cost (IDR) |
|---|---|
| Premium Economy | 250,000 |
| Business | 450,000 |
| First | 600,000 |
The prices for the normal train (Parahyangan) from Jakarta to Bandung start from:
| Class | Cost (IDR) |
|---|---|
| Ekonomi | 100,000 |
| Eksekutif | 150,000 |
| Eksekutif Luxury | 400,000 |
| Panoramic | 350,000 |
(The shuttle train from Padalarang to Bandung is free of charge for passengers with a connecting high-speed train ticket.)
Useful reads before you go:
Top 10 tips for Southeast Asia train travel
7 reasons why you should travel by train around Southeast Asia
5 AMAZING train journeys in Southeast Asia
10 essentials experienced travellers always take on trains in Southeast Asia
Book your train travel:
If you have found this website useful for planning your Southeast Asia train travel, you can show your support by buying me a coffee. Thanks so much!
